Stitching forceps



Aug; 14, 1923.

T. B. RICHARDSON STITGHING FORCEPS Filed June ,22

a mac; VHIOL ffiimkwmwz Gram/mg Patented Aug. l4, i923.

Ltd 4.8"

rHoi'iAs B; RICHARDSON, or riser/rent, onrilinoiua.

srrrcrirne roncnrs.

Application filed June 22, 1922. Serial No. 570,128.

To. all whom it may concern: 7

.Be it known that 1.,Trzoaras B. Riemann ON, a citizen of the United States, residing t Piedmont, in the county of Canadian and State f Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful. improvements in Stitching Forceps, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention is. directed to improvements in surgical instruments and particularly to forceps to be used in suture operat-ions.

This invention contemplates the provision of a stitching forceps having novel means for support the needle whereby the latter may be forced clear thru the skin durinn; the process of stitching.

, A further object. is to provide a stitching forceps of generally improved construction an 1 design and which is of efficient operation ind simple construction.v

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the following description.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top view of the stitching for ceps,

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof,

Figure3 is a cross sectional view on line of Figure 2,

Figure 4c is a detail view of the upper jaw. and

Figure 5 is a detail view of the lower jaw.

In carrying out the invention, the forceps 10 has its lower jaw 11 provided with a re cess 12 of such size and depth as to allow the needle holder 13 to descend entirely therein when the forceps are closed. The needle holder has its top end made fast, by screws 14:, to an intermediate portion of a flat spring 15 which has its opposite ends inserted in a slot 16 in the lower jaw 11, which ends overlap one another as shown in Figure 3. Spring 15 normally tends to support the needle holder outwardly of the recess a shown in Figure 1 and is secured in place by a screw 17 which. screws into the bottom of jaw 11, penetrating the two ends of spring 15 as shown.

Screw 17 is extended upwardly thru the central bore 18 of the holder and projects a slight distance above the top surface of the jaw. This screw has its portion above the ends of the spring reduced to provide a shank 19 corresponding in diameter with the needle 20. Needle 20 is provided with an eye at one end-thru which is threaded the suture 21 and has its butt end inserted in the bore 18 of the holder, when the latter is raised outwardly of the recess thru the action of spring 15, and rests upon the top of screw shank 19. When the forceps are closed the top jaw 22 forces the needle holder into the recess of the lower jaw and rests on the shank of the screw, which is the same size of the needle. To stitch, thefor ceps are opened wide and the skin caught between the point of the needle and the upper jaw. As the. forceps are closed, the upper aw pushes the skin down. over the needle, which is stationary, and forces the needle holder into its recess. The needle is thus made to pass clear thru the skin, since the latter is pushed down over the needle for the full length thereof when the jaws are closed. It will be observed that when the forcegs are closed, the needle and the top cndof the screw enters the slot in the upper jaw of the forceps, the skin alone being confined between the two jaws. Consequently, a stitch will be taken each time the forceps are closed.

The needle holder su orts the needle firmly and in upright position until its point is mace to penetrate the skin by the closing f the forceps, at which time the holder enters the recess in the lower jaw. However, as soon as the forceps open again, the holder rises out of the recess and into ,position readv for the needle-to be again re- 5 eserted therein. If desired, needle 20 may he slit at the butt end, as shown at 26, to provide outwardly springing portions which are sprung together when inserting the nee dle in the holder, the tendency of these portions to expand against the side of the bore serving to retain the needle securely in place.

From the foregoing it is believed that the advantages and novel features of the invention can be readily understood and that further detail description thereof is not required. 7

What is claimed is: j

1. A stitching forceps having a slotted upper jaw and a recessed lower jaw, a needle holder between the said jaws, means for supporting the said holder above the recess of the lower jaw when the forceps are opened and Vieldable to allow the holder to be forced into the said recess when the forceps are closed, and needle-projecting means within the said holder for forcing the needle of the latter into the slot of the upper jaw when the forceps are closed.

2. A stitching forceps having a slotted upper jaw and a recessed lower jaw, a ueedle holder litling therecess oil the lower jaw, a spring supporting the said holder outwardl of the recess when the forceps are opened, the said holder being forcedinto the recess by the said upper jaw of the forceps when the latter is closed, and means for projecting; the needle of the holder into the slot of the said upper jaw during the closing of the forceps.

8. A titching forceps having a slotted upper jaw and a recessed lower jaw, a needle holder between the jaws and engageahle in the recess of the lower jaw, means for yieldably supporting the holder outwardly of the recess when the forcew are opened," and a fixed element penetrating the said holder to provide a. support for the needle and a guide for the holder, said element entering into the slot of the upper jaw in the closed position of the latter, whereby the needle of the holder is caused to enter the said slot. 7

4. A stitching forceps having a slotted upper jaw and a recessel lower jaw, a inorable needle holder between the said jaws, means for yieldably supporting the said holder outwardly of the recess when the forceps are opened and for tensioning the holder within the recess when the forceps are closed, means forliiniting movement of the said holder, and means for causing the needle of the holder to pass into the slot of the upper are closed. 7

5. A stitching forceps having a slotted upper jaw and recessed lowerjaw, a niov able needle holder between the said aws,

means for yieldably supporting the said holder outwardly of the recess when the forceps are opened and for tensioning the holder within therecess when the forceps are closed, means for limiting movement of the said holder, and a needle-ejecting ele ment fixed to the said lower jaw and enter-- the said holder to support the needle thereof, said element extending beyond the holder when the latter is seated in the recess, for causing the needle to enter the slot of the upper jaw, when the forceps are closed. V i I In testimony w iereof I aliix my signature.

THOMAS B. nionrinnson.

jaw of the forceps when the latter 

